Project Background

Previous research carried out for the Highways Agency by TRL Limited has shown that the effectiveness of high-visibility clothing worn by road workers is critically dependent on the environment in which the road worker is operating. Maintaining good contrast between the road worker and the background is vital, yet road workers are frequently required to undertake their duties at night in the vicinity of vehicles displaying high-intensity flashing beacons. There are a number of conflicting requirements that need to be considered when developing a strategy for road worker conspicuity. These need to be considered and a holistic approach taken to night-time and daytime conspicuity to ensure that the road user can quickly and effectively identify both vehicles and personnel on the carriageway.

Project Objectives

This project will look at the conflicting requirements for conspicuity in order to develop an better whole-scene approach to conspicuity in order to reduce the risk to road workers and road users attending incidents on the Highways Agency road network.

Project Summary

This project aims to identify best practice, ensure that road workers are conspicuous at night and that the conspicuity of incidents or work areas is effective and reduces risk to road workers and road users to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable.

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